Hobey, 1995-2014

One time, years ago, I started making a list of all the nicknames I had for the Hobe: Orangino. Hobey Wan. Clicks. Herr Mittenspiel. Grampy. Creamsicle. Tolstoy.

I stopped after, like, 37, because it was still only a fraction of the list, because he would keep licking a plastic bag like a big weirdo no matter what I called him, because they all meant the same thing, the thing all nicknames mean, that he was known, that he was loved.

So sorry to hear this. It's so hard to lose a long-time pet. There's a tiny empty space that not even another pet can fill. I still look around for my two cats occasionally. They were with me for a long time, like Little Joe and Hobey. Condolences.

Oh, no! Hugs and love to you all. I was going to write something eloquent and comforting, but I am too teary-eyed. Maybe we should all go kick a few bucks towards our local rescue groups to honor a big orange kitty who brought so much joy to so many people through Sars's essays.

Oh, Sarah, I am so sorry to hear that. Your stories about Hobie and Little Joe made me laugh so hard during some really bad times in my life when I thought there was never going to any laughter anywhere, ever again. They are not 'pets', they are friends and family members, and they leave a space where their stories used to be when they leave us. All the hugs, and whatever else you need to bolster you and get you to the other side of this. xoxo, sweetie.

Oh, Sars, I'm so sorry. I have SO enjoyed the cat tales over the years, and cop to appropriating "Barfy O'Barfigan and Eatsbarf von Disgustingsnack" when my similarly geriatric Rusty was having a bout of IBD. (Had to look it up just now: Sick and Wrong, from 2002)

You have my sympathies–we do the best we can for them, for as long as we can, but it's still not easy. My thoughts are with you.

I'm so sorry, Sars. I always loved reading your stories about Hobey and Little Joe. Hopefully they are playing with my cats in the Great Big Catnip Field in the sky, where the food is plentiful, there's plenty of sun and catnip, and lots of cuddles.

I'm so sorry for your loss Sars. I am another person who has been "owned" by various cats over the years, and I know the (covered with shed fur and stale kibble) feline-shaped hole they leave in your heart. I've laughed until I cried, reading your stories of Hobey and Little Joe and Mabel over the years. In honor of The Hobe's love of boxes, here's a video of lions and tigers and pumas (and other big cats, oh my!) playing in cardboard boxes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J11uu8L8FTY

I am so very sorry. I look to Missicat's comment about The Hobe being with Little Joe somewhere now. Which causes laughter through the sadness thinking about "… didn't SEE me, I AM ORANGE Louis Braille." You gave them such a good life. And they will both live on in the memory of Tomato Nation.